Advocacy at Acterra

Information on the General Election on November 6, 2018

December 2, 2018 Update: Measure W required a two-thirds majority vote to ensure passage. The “Semi-Official” report on November 27th from the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Elections Office tallied support for this measure at 66.9% of voters (that is, 180,895 yes votes out of a total of 270,529 cast), signifying its passage. Measure W is expected to raise an estimated $80 million a year in revenues for 30 years — or around $2.4 billion total — to fund an array of transportation-related improvements throughout San Mateo County. Specifically, the revenue would be allocated as follows:

On November 6, California Proposition 6 was defeated at the polls by a 55% majority. By rejecting Prop 6, funding dedicated to public transit improvements like BART expansion to San Jose, CalTrain electrification, and active transportation was preserved.

Acterra Advocates for Climate-Friendly Policies

Recently Acterra staff and board members joined 350 Silicon Valley for a meeting with Assemblymember Marc Berman to discuss the importance of advocating for leveraged action on climate—a.k.a. policy reform. We were glad to hear that Asm Berman was a co-author on the Ting AB 1745 bill that bans sale of gas powered cars in California by 2040. Acterra Board member Dan Quinn underscored the importance of rewording AB 2195 to require measurement of methane leaks in California, while Edith Eddy asked for Berman's support on SB 100 which would move California to 100% renewable energy by 2045. We enjoyed the opportunity to meet with our representative about these issues.

Make Your Voice Heard! Support Climate Bills in the CA State Legislature

Contact our legislators (info below) and ask for their support

Support H.R.6274, to preserve tax credits for EV purchasers. More info

In September 2018, Gov. Brown signed into law SB1477, requiring the Public Utilities Commission develop a statewide market development initiative to advance the state’s market for low-emission space and water heating equipment for new and existing residential and nonresidential buildings.

In September 2018, Gov. Brown signed into law these companion bills to prohibit any further offshore oil drilling within California’s three-mile underwater coastal zone. It would also ban any pipelines or other means of conveying oil through this coastal zone onto the shore of California.

In September 2018, Gov. Brown signed into law this bill requiring that the Energy Commission assess the state’s opportunities for reducing emissions from buildings by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, with a focus on strategies to reduce emissions from space heating and water heating.

In September 2018, Gov. Brown signed this bill into law. This law prohibits food facilities, where food may be consumed on the premises, from providing single-use plastic straws to consumers unless requested by the consumer. Fast-food establishments are exempted. Half a billion plastic straws are thrown away every day. What a waste! In a statement, Brown said, “One thing is clear, we must find ways to reduce and eventually eliminate single-use plastic products."